13.8. Preparing Learners for Proctored Exams#

To prepare learners for a proctored exam, follow these guidelines.

  • Emphasize that learners must be aware of the requirements before taking the exam, and that some of the requirements might take some preparation. The proctoring software has minimum bandwidth requirements and learners must have a consistent connection of 500 kbps or more.

  • Well before the exam, provide learners with information about the grading policy in your course and the requirements for earning academic credit.

  • Explain what proctored exams are, and provide learners with links to Taking Timed and Proctored Exams in the edX Help Center.

  • Communicate the rules for proctored exams, including the Proctored exam rules and requirements article in the edX Help Center. as well as any specific rules for a particular exam. For information about creating specific rules, see Specify Exam Rules and Exceptions.

13.8.1. The Learner Experience of Proctored Exams#

For detailed information about the way learners experience proctored exams, including the steps that they must take to install the proctoring software, scan the exam environment, complete the exam, and receive a score, see Taking Timed and Proctored Exams in the edX Help Center.

13.8.2. Practice Proctored Exams#

You can create an ungraded practice proctored exam for your course so that learners can become familiar with the process of installing proctoring software and performing the required checks ahead of time. Learners complete the following steps for a practice proctored exam.

  • Install the proctoring software.

  • Complete identity checks.

  • Complete a room scan.

  • Complete any example problems in the exam.

When you create a practice proctored exam, keep the following information in mind.

  • Proctoring software in practice proctored exams is available only to learners in a paid enrollment track (e.g. verified, Master’s, Professional Certificate). Learners in other enrollment tracks will only see practice proctored exam content.

  • Practice proctored exam content is visible to all learners, regardless of enrollment track.

  • Practice exams do not affect credit eligibility and do not include monitoring by the proctoring software.

  • Learners who complete practice exams must complete the same software installation and environment scan steps again when they take an actual proctored exam.

For information about how to create a practice proctored exam, see Create a Proctored Exam or Practice Proctored Exam.